news and product reviews

Transcription

free.aero
Photo: Alain Douce
WORLDWIDE PARAGLIDING AND PARAMOTORING MAGAZINE. FOR FREE.
COUPE ICARE 2014
PARAGLIDING AND PARAMOTORING
NEWS AND PRODUCT REVIEWS
2 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
ISSN 2267-1307
Translation by Ruth Jessop
COUPE ICARE 2014
Coupe Icare 2014
THE PARAGLIDING FESTIVAL WITH ALL THE NEW IDEAS
Once again, this unique ‘family festival’, the biggest of its kind in
the paragliding/paramotoring world, was the place to unveil new
products and market the latest trends.
T
he weather forecast was bad, but
despite big storms during the
night, the days were quite nice,
allowing over 100 fancy dress flights
in the traditional Icarnaval. More than
80,000 spectators took advantage of
the sunny spells to take part in this
annual airborne pilgrimage, and to
watch the numerous displays which
make the Coupe Icare so unique.
Photo: Alain Douce
Icarnaval
3 | September 2014
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w wwww.free.aero
w. v o l e r. i n f o
ONE DAY, I’LL FLY WITH SKYTEX !
COUPE ICARE 2014
®
The following pages give a glimpse
of the phenomenon which is the
Coupe Icare: an immense festival to
celebrate free flying…
Création : [email protected]
The Coupe Icare is also the world’s
biggest paragliding and paramotoring
trade show: Nearly 200 exhibitors over
a surface of 5,000 m2, all showing off
the latest gadgets and gear to make
our flying dreams come true.
In this article we’re going to take you
round the stands, looking at what’s
new and also revisiting some of the
products which have been around for
a while but deserve a second look.
SKYTEX
Ready for the next generation !
You’ll also be able to see other new
products in a later article ‘Trends for
2015’, which will be out at the end of
the year…
Because your wings will always need high-performance fabrics,
Porcher Sport will be at your side throughout your life on land,
at sea and in the air… Naturally.
www.porcher-sport.com
CONFIDENCE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
Principe pub skytex 2014 ok.indd 2
01/07/14 21:07
Icare Expo
Photo: Bruno Lavit
4 | September 2014
®
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COUPE ICARE 2014
Icarnaval
Photo: Ilan Ginzburg
5 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
Photos: APCO
APCO
The Israeli manufacturer has, amongst
other things, two new sizes of the NRG
Pro: The 18.5 has been added to the 17.5
which came out earlier and an NRG Pro
16.5 will follow shortly. The NRG Pro is
an improvement on the NRG and is aimed,
above all, at slalom competitions. On the
free flying side, APCO has gone light;
their hike and fly harness only weighs 220
grammes and, for the first time, it can be
fitted with an airbag.
At the Coupe Icare, APCO also launched
the prototype of a new lightweight harness
for paramotoring. Weighing only one and
a half kilos, it has separate leg straps like
on a mountain harness, better steering by
weight shift and is also less sensitive to
engine torque thus making take off both
nicer and easier.
www.apcoaviation.com
6 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
Photo: Thomas Ulrich / Visual Impact
ADVANCE
The Swiss manufacturer made the most of
the Coupe Icare 2014 to launch their new
top of the range lightweight harness, the
Lightness 2: a cocoon harness designed
for flying XC, with an integrated reserve
pocket, certified back protection optimised
to an aero dynamic shape and numerous
adjustments possible in the air. This
harness which only weighs 2.8 kg, will be in
production from November onwards.
Another official launch: The Sigma 9, an
intermediate EN C wing designed for flying
distance, only weighing 4.9 kg which is very
light for this category of wing.
Photos: Sascha Burkhardt
Also present at the Advance stand, was
Hannes Papesh, former designer and co
owner of Nova. See photo below with Greg
Blondeau and Simon Campiche following
his move to Advance.
www.advance.ch
7 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
Coupe Icare free flight and balloon show
Above the morning mist, paragliders and balloons meet. Mik Broschart
recorded the moment in this great little film on the left.
https://vimeo.com/106955165
Photo: Bruno Lavit
8 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
AEF GLIDERS
For many pilots, including those in our
editorial team, the Cameleon paramotor
throttle has become an essential piece of
equipment for paramotoring being both
very precise and comfortable.
You’ll find lots of interesting tutorials on
the French manufacturer’s site, a lot of
which are also available in English!
http://mycameleon.fr
9 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
FLYNET - ASI
Photo: Sascha Burkhardt
Two new versions of the Bluetooth minivario, a new case, a new design and above
all, new electronics. From now on, the
two versions FlyNet 3 and FlyNet XC will
also communicate via Bluetooth 4 Low
Energy, also transmitting data from the
new accelerometer. The firmware can now
be updated by the pilot, and it is also
possible to adjust the vario settings for
use, without a smartphone, as a purely
acoustic vario. Despite these significant
improvements the price has dropped; the
FlyNet 3 is approximately 189 euros.
In spite of its small size, the FlyNet XC
for 279 euros is also equipped with a
GPS chip, so that it can transmit data to
a tablet or Android reader without a GPS
like the one in the picture. Even without a
connection, the FlyNet XC records tracks
valid for FAI-CIVL (G-Record), which can
be downloaded onto a computer.
www.asinstrument.ch
Photo: Bruno Lavit
133 paragliders and hang gliders took part in the traditional Icarnaval.
10 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
FLYMASTER
It’s the detail that changes everything:
At Flymaster, every model of vario is now
equipped with a slot for an SD card, giving
an almost unlimited amount of memory.
This is a revolution particularly for
instruments like the Flymaster GPS SD,
Flymaster NAV SD as well as the Flymaster
LIVE SD. They can now have worldwide
airspace maps as well as international
topographic maps, allowing you to display
height about the ground wherever you
are, based on a geographical network of
90 m/90 m.
The price remains affordable and will
be about 204 euros for the VARIO SD
(without GPS) and up to 696 euros for the
LIVE SD (which contains a GSM module
for live tracking).
www.flymaster-avionics.com
AIR CROSS
Photo: Franz Altmann
The company Air Cross have pulled out
of traditional paragliding competitions
and have formed a new team around
the German owner Konrad Görg. New
priorities: An acro wing, called the U
Infinite, already present at the World Cup,
as well as a wing at the top end of the EN
B certification which is currently being
developed…
http://www.aircross.eu/net/?lang=en
11 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
A ‘retro’ sequence in the sky above the 2014 Coupe Icare... Hands up
all those who have still got a wing like that in the back of their garage?
SWING
Photo: Jörg Maass
Photos: S. Burkhardt
Photos:
The German manufacturer has quite a
few new things on offer at the end of this
season: The Sensis is a mid-range EN B
paraglider which is aimed between the
Arcus 7 and the Mistral 7. The paramotor
wing Powerplay Sting 2 replaces the Sting
after years of good and loyal service. The
Sting was one of the best selling models
across the Rhine. The Sting 2 will be just as
adapted/certified for use with a paramotor
as for unpowered flight. Depending on the
amount of travel on the speed bar, the pilot
can choose to make it an EN A or an EN
B wing. Swing also launched a new reserve
and a speed riding wing.
www.swing.de
Sting2Mallorca-FotografJörgMaaßimmerangeben(8).JPG
12 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
NIVIUK
Ten years old already! Niviuk are
celebrating their first decade in business
and the successes that have come with it.
The new Artik 4 (EN C) is finally available.
According to the manufacturer, it is very
user friendly for a wing in this category.
The initial feedback from the test flights
gave it an unusually high performance for
an EN C. The Icepeak 8 wasn’t able to be
certified in time for the Paragliding World
Cup Super Final, but it will be ready this
autumn and in particular for the World
Championships in mid January.
Photo: Luc Hentsch
www.niviuk.com
PORCHER
After a period when manufacturers
experimented a lot with cloth from Asia,
they are now returning more and more to
Skytex cloth (albeit a bit more expensive)
made by the French company Porcher
Sport.
New out is Everlast, a very resistant fabric
with a special coating, developed with
Gradient who had the exclusive rights to it
for a certain length of time. In the future
it will be available to all manufacturers.
In 2015, manufacturers will also be able
to use a new fabric, ‘Eazyfly’, optimized
for the lower surface and a bit less
expensive.
www.porcher-sport.com
13 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
Coupe Icare
free flight and balloon show
PAP
Available from this summer onwards, the
new PAP Rolling trike. It is designed to be
used with chassis types 1400 and 1450
and putting it together is very easy. As
you would expect, this PAP trike is made
with stainless steel rods and the pilot has
a choice of three types of wheels to adapt
the trike for different types of terrain.
www.papteam.com
14 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
WIND'S RIDERS
Photo: S. Burkhardt
We had a look at Philippe Lami’s famous
down jackets specially designed for
paragliding. They are particularly well
known in green, but Philippe has lots of
other great colours too.
www.windsriders.com
ITV
ITV have made their first ever full reflex wing. In creating the Billy, they have apparently
got rid of the achiles heel of this type of paraglider during nil wind launches - a
prolonged take off requiring a lot of ground handling.
Inflating it is surprisingly easy, as is the lift off. In addition the Billy is very manoevrable
and particularly well damped.
Despite a high maximum speed (expected to be 65 km/h) and its high performance, ITV
describes The Billy as a wing for everyone, from newly qualified pilots to competitors.
Sizes 22.5 m2, 25.1 m2 and 28 m2. Max all up weight 120/140/160 kg.
www.itv-parapentes.com
Photo: ITV
15 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
ICARO PARAGLIDERS
Photo: Icaro
The acro wing Nikita 4 came out a few
weeks ago. Compared to the version 3,
it has a softer nose profile, the trim has
been modified along with the brake line
geometry. According to the manufacturer,
the stall point will be a bit earlier and
there will be a significant reduction in
the effort needed on the controls, which
will be an advantage for McTwists and
Misty Flips.
Nevertheless, the Nikita 4 will keep its
liveliness in the dive. The stabilo has also
been modified.
http://www.icaro-paragliders.de
16 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
PEGUET
They’ve always been part of paragliding
and regular participants at the Coupe
Icare. French based Peguet make the
famous maillons for most paragliding
manufacturers no matter where they are
based in the world.
At their stand, as on their website, we
learnt lots of interesting details about
these little but indispensable parts of our
flying machines…
http://www.peguet.fr/index-gb
www.nirvana.cz
17 | September 2014
Gabriel Toman
Nirvana Instinct HL200 + CCI
Michel Carnet
Nirvana Instinct CL200
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Daniel Trochta
Lubomir Zavorka
Nirvana NV360
COUPE ICARE 2014
WOODY VALLEY
Simone Caldana, owner and designer of
the Italian make, introduced the 'Wani',
successor to the reversible harness
‘Voyager Plus’. It integrates a real
backpack, thus not falling foul of the
normal compromises necessary for classic
reversibles. Which begs the question, is it
still a real reversible?
Secondly and more importantly, Simone
Caldana has put a lot of effort into the
upper back protection. As an impact on
this part isn’t tested during certification,
despite the possibility of injuries during
a fall on your back, Woody Valley have
modified their own testing regime. They
have thus significantly improved the
protection to these parts of the body
thanks to extra air compartments.
www.woodyvalley.com
Icare Expo
18 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
Coupe Icare
free flight and balloon show
19 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
DUDEK
The Polish manufacturer Dudek launched
their new Freeway 2 at the Coupe Icare.
According to Jean Baptiste Chandelier,
this wing is, above all, aimed at those
learning acro, from the stall to the limit of
Infinity Tumbling, without actually being
adapted for the latter. It has less dive
than certain of its competitors which will
reassure acro beginners, and it glides
better, so it is nice to fly in thermals too.
The 19.5 m2 is available now and the 22
will be here soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkHMgfPgpoM
http://www.dudek.fr
At the Coupe Icare Dudek presented their new team of
test pilots. Here they all are from left to right and back
row followed by front row:
Wojtek Domaski, Piotr Dudek, Jérémy Bailly, Marie
Lucas, Maxime Chiron, Jean-Baptiste Chandelier
Christophe Gonin, Jim Nougarolles, Manuel Laly
BRAKE
STABILO
Dessin: Lucian Haas
PMA
During the meeting of the Paraglider
Manufacturers Association, the PMA,
the manufacturers were a lot fewer,
many having left, unhappy with their
representation over certification issues
and the new EN norm.
Those remaining did manage, amongst
other things, to publish some very
practical recommendations for all their
members. The resolution recommends
having uniform colours of lines as a
function of their position, red for the As,
yellow for the Bs, blue for the C/Ds, green
for the stabilos and orange for the brakes.
This idea would at least be a very good
thing, particularly for beginners!
http://www.p-m-a.info
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COUPE ICARE 2014
VOLER INFO - FREE AERO
Photo: Luciano Miguel Martins
Your magazine had its own stand. Sorry we
weren’t there very much; instead we were
busy from dawn till dusk, out and about,
getting all the news and latest information
for you…
Many thanks to all our readers who have
made the first purely online paragliding
magazine, such an amazing success. Just
in time for the Coupe Icare, the Android
application alone of our French magazine,
voler.info, passed the 5000 readers
barrier. Add to that the 8800 subscribers
via the iPhone and iPad apps, and the
numerous pilots who read us over the
web…
Also new: From October onwards, we are
going to inaugurate a new test protocol for
paraglider and paramotor wings integrating
videos.
Application free.aero iOS (iPhone, iPad):
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/free.aero-magazine-for-paragliding/id873891887
Application free.aero Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=free.aero
Web:
www.voler.info
www.free.aero
INDEPENDENCE/SKYMAN
Photo: S.Burkhardt
The German manufacturer brought out the
new Cruiser 3, a school wing and still an EN
A with a lot better performance according
to Independence. The collaboration with
Markus Gründhammer from Skyman, one
of the pioneers of hike and fly (after having
been one of the pioneers of acro in the
1990s), can also be seen in the harness:
The String only weights 300 grammes. It
is EN certified and even LTF when used
with a back protector.
21 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
FLYING PLANET
The Whisper 4, the new top of the range
EN B wing from Flying Planet has been
certified in size S M 80/100 kg.
Also new, the Spirit 3 leisure wing. Still in
the current range, the mini-wings Shoo'ka
15,17,19, the tandem Xpress2, the speed
riding wings Mutant 11 and 9, and the
freestyle paraglider Mystic FS.
http://flyingplanet.fr/index.php/en/
AIR CONCEPTION
Photo: S. Burkhardt
At Air Conception, titanium is traditionally
everywhere, including the cage. By
choosing a thin enough section of tube,
the end result is a good weight to solidity
compromise.
Air Conception is now in partnership with
Flying Planet. New out: motors that are
160 cm3 instead of 130 cm3, but of
identical weight.
http://www.airconception.com/
22 | September 2014
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Icarobatix
COUPE ICARE 2014
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Photo: Alain Douce
23 | September 2014
This year Icarobatix crowned 3 French pilots as being amongst
the best in the world. At the end of the 3 paramotor slalom
rounds: 1st Alexandre Mateos, 2nd Jérémy Penome, 3rd Pascal
Vallée.
COUPE ICARE 2014
HACKER
Photo: Hacker
Hacker is a remote controlled model
airplane manufacturer which is also
heavily involved in model paragliders and
paramotors. Recently the RC-Free with
1.3 m2 came out; a model with a single
surface, well damped and easy to fly,
making it no problem to do spirals, SATs,
stalls, helicopters… Price of the whole kit
with remote control: 589 €.
New out: The model Flare, a single surface
wing which is bigger than the Free. This
model is 2.4 m2 and is even easier to fly
and is specially adapted for thermal flying
as well as ridge soaring.
www.hacker-motor.com
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XN_jISklIA
COUPE ICARE TV
Daily Motion’s Coupe Icare TV channel had some videos showing the Coupe Icare 2014
as well as previews of the film festival.
http://www.dailymotion.com/coupeicaretv
24 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
FLY PRODUCTS
Photo: S. Burkhardt
New from the Italian manufacturer, is
the Vertigo monoplace trike which is
particularly robust and has very good
protection around the pilot.
Also new, the Xenit trike which is now
available with the Thor 250 engine from
Polini.
www.flyproducts.com
MAC PARATECHNOLOGY
Photos: Franz Altmann
Peter Recek, the owner and designer of
the Czech company Mac Para, announced
the launch of the Elan (EN C). This
paraglider will be easier than the Marvel,
and also comes in a lightweight version
(4 kg in size 26), a new trend at Mac
Para. Peter Recek also envisages having
a new competition class wing. At the
beginning of the range, the EN A wing
the Muse 4, came out right on time
for the Coupe Icare. The Heaven is the
new XC cocoon harness from the Czech
manufacturer.
http://macpara.com
25 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
Photo: S. Burkhardt
GRADIENT
The Aspen 5 (EN C, see photo below)
just out, is already being talked about.
This model promises a significant
improvement in glide angle, especially
when accelerated. At 6.25, the aspect
ratio is greater than that of the Aspen
4. Ondrej Dupal (photo left) was
pleasantly surprised by the success of
the Freestyle range, and launched the
Freestyle 3. This model will be more
dynamic than its predecessor, whilst
keeping its accessibility. Certification
will be possible, but isn’t envisaged at
the moment.
Photo: F. Altmann
www.gradient.cx
26 | September 2014
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Photo: Alain Douce
COUPE ICARE 2014
27 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
SYRIDE
At the Syride stand, the recent Sys’Nav
got lots of attention. Just as small and
easy to handle as the manufacturer’s other
instruments and perfectly designed to be
mounted on the risers, thus making it very
visible, this instrument costs 399 euros
(only slightly more expensive than the
Sys’GPS). It offers amongst other things,
navigation functions and air space display.
We’ll soon be testing it in voler.info and
free.aero!
www.syride.com
RSULTRA KANGOOK
28 | September 2014
www.rsultra.com
Photo: Kangook
The Canadian paramotor manufacturer
has packed his bags: For the new Trekk
series, especially adapted for travelling;
the company RSultra introduces a travel
case on wheels. At voler.info/free.aero,
we tested the Trekk chassis with a Polini
190 motor. You will be able to read the
full report next month.
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COUPE ICARE 2014
SUPAIR
At Supair, after the launch of their tandem
paraglider, the school EN A wing is about
to be certified. This wing which has
leading edge rods should be pretty fast.
The all new harness the Delight 2, with
a detachable cocoon, is even more of
a success than the previous version,
weighing 3.6 kg.
www.supair.com
NERVURES
Jean Marie Bernos showed us the new
Whizz. This hybrid mountain wing will
combine the Kenya for mountain flying,
the Swoop for speed and the LOL as a
hybrid…
It comes in three sizes. Straight away we
took a 20 to test for voler.info and free.
aero.
www.nervures.com
29 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
SKYTRAXX
The manufacturer from the Black Forest,
not far from the French/German border,
has made a few small changes to his
successful instrument, the Skytraxx 2.0
Plus, an altivario GPS. Already made in
black, it is also now available in orange
or green.
Inside, an interesting change, any recorded
flight is stored in both IGC format and in
Google Earth format, the latter allowing
easier visualization.
www.skytraxx.eu
MINARI ENGINE
At Parmakit-Minari they have produced a
new model with double ignition 181 cc
and 27 HP. The weight of the motor on
its own, including the exhaust, will be
14.5 kg.
In addition, this motor manufacturer offers
via its Polish subsidiary, the complete
assembly, chassis and motor.
Minari Pologne is working on injection
systems coupled with a lambda sensor in
the exhaust.
www.minari-engine.com
30 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
OPALE PARAMODELS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-CiDjhSc3Q
The French manufacturer of mini
models (paraglider and paramotor) was
at the Coupe Icare. Their own pilots
demonstrated, amongst other things, the
new Fox RS 2.6 which has a 4 metre
wingspan, an easy to use wing with
a nonetheless impressive performance,
according to the manufacturer. They also
introduced a new Barbie size pilot called
Lucas who is heavier to go with bigger
wings and therefore easier to use.
http://www.opale-paramodels.com
31 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
BGD
As if he didn’t already have enough work,
putting deliveries of his highly successful
wings slightly behind schedule, Bruce
Goldsmith (on the right in the photo) has
taken on a new project: President of the
Paraglider Manufacturers Association, the
PMA…
Hopefully that will open the door to the
numerous manufacturers who slammed it
behind them following the disputes over
German and European certification and
the various Enzogate issues…
Other than that, Bruce is concentrating
on developing the Base, a top of the range
EN B model.
www.flybgd.com
Coupe Icare free flight
and balloon show
32 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
Icare Expo
Photo: Jean Dolifus
Photo:
Bruno
Lavit
Kids Icare
33 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
OZONE
We have already talked about it in the
Hi-Tech article: the big news at the Ozone
stand was the F*Lite harness weighing
99 grammes... It’s impressive to hold
it in your hands - it feels like cigarette
paper...
The tensile strength is given by
Dyneema thread and carbon rods provide
stiffening...
Ozone also showed off their new Roadster
2, an intermediate paramotor wing with
reflex and SharkNose. The wing will
be really easy to launch and has a very
big speed range thanks, amongst other
things, to the SharkNose. For 2015,
Ozone will be launching the Swift 4 as
well as the new Mojo.
Photo: Ozone
http://www.flyozone.com/paragliders/en/
34 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
WINDTECH
The Altair is the new EN A wing from
the Spanish manufacturer; it has been
certified in sizes S, M and L.
The name of their wings are now going to
start with the letter of their category, for
example, the Bali is an EN B, the Capri
is an EN C…
http://windtech.es/en/index.html
PIOU-PIOU
Nicolas Baldeck was at the Coupe Icare
to show everyone his 199 euro windtalker.
At the Coupe Icare Nicolas won the JeanMarc Mouligné prize, which rewards new
innovations in the world of free flying. The
Pioupious which have been ordered will be
delivered at the beginning of 2015.
Another important announcement was
that for countries which aren’t covered by
the Sigfox network there will be a Pioupiou
which will communicate using a GSM
module (mobile phone). The price will
be in the order of about 400 euros, still
pretty reasonable for a totally autonomous
windtalker.
http://www.pioupiou.fr
35 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
VITORAZZI
From this year onwards, the successful
model, the Monster 185 will be available
in a version ‘plus’, with an extra clutch.
This version which was already on the
cards at the 2013 Coupe Icare has been a
great success, with more and more pilots
appreciating this extra element of security.
http://www.vittorazi.com
Photo: Bruno Lavit
and balloon show
36 | September 2014
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COUPE ICARE 2014
BIP BIP
The little acoustic vario, the Bip Bip, made
in Grenoble keeps going up without any
changes. Its designer and manufacturer,
Timothée Manaud, continues to promote
it via his website, which was rewritten
this summer.
Price: 89.95 euros.
http://www.lebipbip.com
TREKKING
With the launch of the Senso Trek, Trekking
now offer the successful Senso range
in three different versions: the classic
weighing 5.7 kg, the Senso Sport weighing
4.7 kg and the Senso Trek at less than
4 kg. This additional reduction in weight
has been obtained by carefully placing
the different Porcher fabrics, Skytex 27
and the 32. The Trek will be the wing for
mountain flying and traveling with, light
and solid, whilst the other two versions
are for more classic use. At free.aero we
tested and compared the Senso and the
Senso Sport and will be publishing our
findings in an article in November. One of
the conclusions: Despite having identical
geometry, the Sport doesn’t just take off
better, but it is nicer in the air in many
respects…
http://www.trekking-parapentes.fr
37 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
Photo: Bruno Lavit
COUPE ICARE 2014
Icarnaval
38 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
TRIPLE SEVEN
Photo: S. Burkhardt
The Slovenian manufacturer has on offer a
new series of reserves, the FG +.
These hemispherical parachutes have slits,
which make their trajectory slightly spiral
during their decent, giving greater stability,
braking the oscillations.
Made in medium size, the FG + has a
surface area of 35m2. With a descent rate
of only 5,1m/s, its max all up weight is 110
kg and it weighs 1,6 kg.
The P-Light, mini-wing weighs 2,6 - 2,8kg
and is based on the Pawn school wing. It
is available in two sizes, 17 and 19 for an
all up weight of 45-105 kg and 55-120 kg.
www.777gliders.com
Photo: Véronique Burkhardt Piot: Sascha Burkhardt
AIR DESIGN
The team at Air Design want to concentrate
more on small surfaces, as that’s
what people want. They want wings to be
light and good for hike and fly; here the
sizes seem promising.
The Eazy and the Rise 2 are out now in the
superlight versions, sizes XXS – M...
In the meantime, the Ramaflex as an
entry level reflex wing and available
for intermediate pilots, confirms their
success.
At free.Aero we have tried it and will
publish the results in the autumn with our
other new flight tests. Our first impression:
A wing which is very accessible and
certainly not boring at all, with impeccable
take off behaviour...
http://www.ad-gliders.com/en/
39 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
JCD-SKYWATCH
The team at JDC had on show their full
range of weather stations and precision
instruments. Particularly interesting for
paragliding is the little accessory called
the Windoo, which can be adapted to
modern smartphones starting from the
iPhone 4S and the Samsung Galaxy S3…
The Windoo 1 measures the speed of the
wind and the temperature and it costs 59
euros. The Windoo 2 for 79 euros adds
hygrometry. The Windoo 3 for 99 euros
adds pressure. All the data can be shared
via a social weather forecast network set
up by the manufacturer.
www.windoo.ch
Photo: S.Burkhardt
40 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
SCOUT PARAMOTOR
Photos: S.Burkhardt
The company Scout paramotor offers
chassis and cages made from carbon fiber.
As an additional selling point, the hoops
are twisted to compensate aerodynamically
for the engine torque. With a Moster 185
plus, its weighs about 24 kg, the price is
in the order of 7100 euros.
http://www.scoutparamotor.com
RAZEEBUSS
Despite a market which is still fairly
secretive as far as electric motors are
concerned, at the Coupe Icare, the pioneer
Razeebuss launched the prototype of a
new model, the Radicall which is based
on a Supair Skypper harness.
The Radicall keeps all this harness’s
original characteristics, like the Speedbag,
Bumpair, reserve pocket, speed bar and
foot rest, but Razeebuss have added
an electric motor with their all new
carbon fiber chassis, more refined and
aerodynamic. The motor continues to be
an HPD 10.
In parallel, the company is branching into
classic petrol engines. The third prototype
of the small 17 HP Valach motor, weighing
barely 7.5 kg, should be on the market
soon, but will it really happen this time?
http://razeebuss.com
41 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
ICARO 2000
Photo: Icaro 2000
This manufacturer specialising in helmets
for free flight and paramotoring, made
the most of the Coupe Icare to officially
launch its Transalp helmet, having already
proved its worth in the 2013 X-Alps,
when it protected our esteemed Clément
Latour’s head. Despite weighing only 390
grammes this helmet seems very solid,
as a company employee demonstrated by
violently hitting it on a kerb in a video...
www.icaro2000.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHwrcZI0_s4
APCO Aviation
SETTING FUTURE STANDARDS
for
YEARS
42 | September 2014
1974
APCO launches
serial production of
hang gliders
1986
1st generation
paraglider hits
production
1995
Bagheera
the glider of
champions
2004
1st paramotor
world
records
2014
Vista III
the latest
creation
T-40
T-30
T-20
T-10
NOW
www.apcoaviation.com
At the leading edge of flying since 1974
@FreeAeroMag
LE
AB
AIL RAT
V
A
B
LE
ES
CE
ITI
N
O
U
S T ARY
RT
PO TION ERS
P
I
O
IV
D
www.free.aero
ER CON ANN
AL
L
H
E
T
A
D
I
40
EC
SP
COUPE ICARE 2014
FLYTEC
On the Flytec stand, pilot’s opinions and
wishes were closely listened to. Following
a change of management with Jörg Ewald
being the new director (see photo on the
left), some projects such as the launch
of the new series (pictured below) with
a touch sensitive screen, have been put
back by several months, so that they can
be best adapted to what the pilots really
want.
Even more surprising, Flytec have
withdrawn from the electric paramotor
market until the end of this year, even
though the HDP 10 and HDP 13 motors
produced by Flytec in collaboration with
Geiger/Eck are the only really promising
motors since their competitor Skywalk
withdrew from the market.
But as electric paramotors remain an
existing niche, albeit expensive, from
now on the company Geiger/Eck will
look after it on their own, whilst Flytec
will concentrate totally on the new flying
instruments..
Photo: Bruno Lavit
www.flytec.ch
43 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
SOL
The Brazilian manufacturer’s Lotus (EN C)
is placed significantly above the Synergy
Five which is in the same category. In the
EN A category, the Start One is designed
to be used on school hills. Thus SOL, are
going to offer two models in each category,
including tandems.
A new accessory has also been launched,
the SOL Quick Pack Express for a solo or
tandem wing. It will be more comfortable
with reinforced shoulder straps, an
internal pocket to put the risers in and an
identification pocket.
Weight 660 g. Price 100 euros.
Presentation video:
https:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=lijy0qLd7D8
Photo: Bruno Lavit
http://www.solparagliders.com.br
44 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
POLINI
Also launched at the festival was the
prototype of a small, light motor, 86 cc,
water cooled, and only weighing 11.2 kg,
including the coolant. One of the special
features is that the radiator and all the
pipework are integrated in the case for
the motor, which makes it easier to fit it
onto any paramotor chassis, able to be
equipped with other Polini Thor models.
On the Polini stand we were able to
see the whole range of Thor motors
specially designed for paramotoring. (The
Italian manufacturer comes, like their
competitors, from the motor bike world).
Powerful machines like the Thor 190
light, the 200 EVO (new in the EVO,
amongst other things, improvements to
the cylinder head and the exhaust) and
the 250 are on a roll, as the trend, not
just in competitions, is going towards
small wings and big engines, even for foot
launching! The 190 light (on the left) is
a good compromise, economizing on the
clutch for example. As for the cylinder, it
seems very close, identical even, to the
200 EVO.
free.aero has a 190 light to test. We’ll
publish the results this autumn!
http://www.polini.com/en/index.html
U-TURN
Thomas Vosseler (photo left) and his
company have brought out the Infinity 4 –
this wing has been completely redesigned
and has almost nothing in common with
the previous version. Pretty logical, given
that the Infinity 3 was a LTF 1-2 which
came out in 2009…
The new harness RX3 (the ‘Relax’)
continues to weigh less than 4 kg, except
in size L. The back protection got the
very good rating of 22 g in the EN/LTF
certification.
www.u-turn.de
45 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
Ohne Kompromisse
without compromise
www.skytraxx.eu
[email protected]
GIN
The new Génie X-Alps is a version of the
harness which the GIN pilots used in the
X-Alps 2013. It will be available in SIX
sizes, has 14 cm of back protection and
will continue to weigh about 2 kg…
Gin also launched the new Fuse tandem
harnesses Pilot and Passenger.
The Genie Race 3 harness is designed
for competition use. It is a bit lighter
than the previous version weighing 7.2
kg. Outwith competitions it is also aimed
at XC pilots. The cockpit flight deck has
space for a reserve or it can be replaced
by an instrument case.
www.gingliders.com
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=1cPJz7dyVYo
46 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
Air Navigation
Flight planning and real time navigation
Now with NOTAM and Live Tracking. www.xample.ch
Photos: Kortel
KORTEL DESIGN
At Kortel Design, in addition to the
lightweight range of harnesses well known
for being ‘made in France’, there is now
an exciting new accessory for any pilot
who likes taking pictures whilst flying,
a specially adapted flight deck with a
compartment to keep your camera at hand
but perfectly protected. It is adapted to
fit onto any harness using quick release
buckles. After the flight it converts into
a camera bag with strap! Clever! Weight
850 g, price 170€.
http://www.korteldesign.com/spip/index.php?lang=en
COUPE ICARE 2014
TURBULENCE
Silkscreen clothing from Turbulence, were
a fashion ‘must see’ at this year’s Coupe
Icare - beautiful, original designs, neatly
done on high quality fabric. A new addition
to their team and wearing a Turbulence
design, was acro pilot Eliot Nochez.
http://www.turbulence-shop.fr/index-en.html
PARATROC
The company Paratroc is well known
for selling second hand paragliders and
accessories. Given the current difficult
financial climate, this has become popular
amongst many pilots. You can kit yourself
out for a lot less in recently serviced
equipment with a three month guarantee.
Paratroc have created a Europe-wide
network and they always have hundreds of
models in stock.
Paratroc is also an importer for AVA Sport
harnesses as well as for Plusmax helmets.
www.paratroc.com
48 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
Photo: Jean Dolifus
COUPE ICARE 2014
and balloon show
49 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
Photo: Alain Douce
COUPE ICARE 2014
The Coupe Icare Film Festival.
For 32 years, the Film Festival has been an essential part of the Coupe
Icare. This year, 35 films competed for aerial supremacy…
This 32nd Coupe Icare Film Festival saw the cinema full to bursting for each of the
3 screenings of the official selection. This year the jury chose 5 films out of the 35
entered. Films of aerial sports and stories of both human and emotional endeavor were
amongst the finalists:
The ‘Coup de Coeur’ was won by 40 Ans de Vol Libre Au-dessus du Puy de Dôme, by Pascal
Maury which recounted the history of hang gliding in the region that the French call,
‘The Land of the Volcanoes’.
The award for the best adventure film was won by François and Auréliane Lehen with
the film Une Paire dans le Ciel, an amateur’s top quality debut film.
The best footage award along with best kids and public award, went to Touch by JeanBaptiste Chandelier, who enchanted everyone after having gained large appeal over the
internet with more than 1 600 000 hits over the course of 9 months on the web.
The Jury’s Special award went to Pour une Poignée de Secondes by Bertrand Delapierre,
filmed behind the scenes base jumping in the heart of the Alps.
The Gold award went to Violon, Parapente et Himalaya by Sebastien Devrient, for its pure,
free flying adventure footage, capturing isolation in the strictest sense of the term.
50 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
The critical jury, made up of journalists
specializing in the world of free flight
aerial sports, gave two other prizes.
The first one, a short but breathtaking
film, Burja Khalifa Pinacle Base Jump – 4 K
by Anthony Augustinack.
The second one, a full length film which
paid homage to slowness, Un Grain de
Folie by Benoit Tanguy. They deliberated
between the two for a long time but finally
chose both, being the two extremes of the
2014 Coupe Icare Film Festival.
Film: Grain de Folie
51 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
Un Grain de folie
52 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
Ballooning with Vincent Leys, one of the greatest balloonists in
history. He put his title of world champion on trial during the
Gordon Bennett Cup. Where would the wind carry him this time?
Filmed by Benoit Tangy. Length 52 minutes.
Winner of the Coupe Icare Film Critics award.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWqSG3B0vDI
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
Skydive Dubai sponsored Soul Flyers World Champions Vince Reffet and Fred Fugen who broke
a new World Record by BASE jumping from the pinnacle of the World's Tallest Building.
Film by Antony Augustinack. Length 1 minute 43 seconds.
Winner of the Coupe Icare Film Critics award.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD4qsWnjsNU
Burja Khalifa Pinacle Base Jump
53 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
Jean-Yves Fredriksen, otherwise known as ‘Blutch’, took off on his own with his paraglider
and a violin to cross the Indian Himalayas. An adventure where poetry had its place
amongst the difficulties and commitment necessary for this type of project.
Film by Sébastien Devrient. Length 21 minutes.
Coupe Icare Gold Award.
http://vimeo.com/88664699
Violon, parapente et himalaya
54 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
Jérôme Para and Arnaud Bayol take you on a
flight of discovery behind the scenes of this big
mountain sport, base jumping throughout the
seasons, travelling across the Alps.
From the Mont Blanc Massif to the Ecrins,
L’Olan, the Grand Capucin, the Râteau and
many other summits, their vast playground.
Breathe deeply, think big, take off!!
COUPE ICARE 2014
Film by Bertrand Delapierre. Length 28 minutes
Coupe Icare Special Jury Award
Pour une poignée de secondes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPLGUlFVO4
55 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
Touch
56 | September 2014
Precision and total control, playing with the wind, working at ground level…
Film by Jean Baptiste Chandelier. Length 5 minutes.
free.aero featured this film in a previous article, with great photos and an
interview with the film maker.
See free.aero January 2014.
Coupe Icare Best Kids and Public Award.
Coupe Icare Best Image Award.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L62faWn-sa8
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
NEO
Neo produce in France amongst other
things, ultra lightweight harnesses. New
out: ‘The String’ harness is now available
in XS (less than 1 m 65 and 55 kg) and XL
(more than 1 m 90 and 90 kg). For anyone
who has a doubt about the strength of this
type of gear, Neo have put on line a video
made during the EN certification structure
test. You can see almost nothing, because
this 290 g harness (+ 37 g of karabiners)
held, without flinching, the load of 15 g
for 5 seconds. At the Coupe Icare they
also launched a speed riding harness with
integrated back protection and a project
to make a speed riding wing (S-Ride for
beginners and intermediates, X-Ride for
experienced pilots) as well as a ski/speed
riding suit with an integrated harness…
www.flyneo.com
57 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
NAVITER
More than ten years ago we tested for the
first time the mapping/aerial navigation
software SeeYou for Pocket PC (the forerunner to Windows Mobile). For two years
the author of SeeYou has been selling
an instrument with a tactile screen with
SeeYou already installed called the Oudie.
Just like their standard software it displays, amongst other things, a topographic
map and airspace maps. In the second
version, which was launched at the Coupe
Icare, the screen on the instrument has
made big leaps forward in terms of visibility, especially in full sunlight.
It costs 800 euros.
http://www.naviter.com
58 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
KOLORFOTO
On Kolorfoto’s stand there was a
demonstration of their camara which
produces panoramic videos. Six GoPros
mounted in a cube. Thanks to special
glasses the viewers can easily look in
all directions and feel totally immersed
in the video – in this case, giving an
incredible feeling of flying a metre from
the paramotor pilot above the Nazca Lines
in Peru.
Even without the glasses, the 3D video
is very impressive (unfortunately Flash is
necessary). http://goo.gl/F4yh8t
http://www.kolor.com
http://eyes.kolor.com/fr/v/5896a00377f9be7427f7359d6e9d0011
360° VIDEOS OF THE COUPE ICARE (FLASH PLAYER NECESSARY)
The geek pilot Jean Pierre Navarro made several little videos at the Coupe Icare thanks to the 3D video
technology demonstrated on the Kolorfoto stand. It was also Jean Pierre Navarro who made the film in
the sky above Peru. This expedition was helped by the loan of a Moster 185 plus, made by the motor
manufacturer Vitorazzi and their French dealer, Bruno Vezzoli.
Here are a few examples of the videos in which you are free to choose the direction you look, whilst you
watch the video…
Unfortunately, these videos aren’t compatible with iPhone and iPad in their current form.
On the other hand, ‘Little Planet’ filmed on the road down from Saint Hilaire is perfectly compatible with
any viewer. All the 360° vision is concentrated in one unique perspective. Bizarre…
For more information about panoramic technology from the Savoyard company Kolorfoto: www.kolor.com
http://eyes.kolor.com/fr/v/339aaf810c7a2e6383c546ea2765a3da
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=0op_AG9uWgU
http://eyes.kolor.com/fr/i/93959fd1c04359acafb15c5b09eb7b5e
http://eyes.kolor.com/fr/v/42
dc540e086783979b7980f9
bbe9407b
59 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
G-FORCE
The famous centrifugal force simulator
was present for the first time at the Coupe
Icare. It was available to anyone who
wanted to test their physical resistance
during a flying incident.
This very effective tool goes up to 7G,
allowing the pilot to understand his
limits (at least that day), and also to
learn breathing techniques to be better
able to cope with G forces. There are
currently four such machines in operation
in Europe, one of which is in Annecy. It
is best to make the most of this simulator
during a one day training course…
A short but not very spectacular video, showing the mobile G force simulator being
used at the Coupe Icare
http://www.gforce-trainer.fr
60 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
NOVA
Photo: Nova
At Nova, the Ion 3 is now also available in
a lightweight version (right photo).
It’s a true Ion 3, very flexible and fits in at
the start of the EN B range, but
with a weight gain compared to the classic
Ion 3 of 1.5 kg. It is also 500 grammes
lighter than the Ion 2 light. At free.aero
we have already got one to test. We’ll let
you know our verdict in a few weeks time.
At the Coupe Icare, Nova also launched
the all new Mentor 4 top end EN B.
According to its manufacturer, it should
have a half a point gain in glide compared
to the Mentor 3. Watch this space...
Nova have also changed their logo, which
has been met with a mixed response.
www.nova-wings.com
NIRVANA
At this top of the range paramotor
manufacturer, the chassis are now
available with new types of struts. Apart
from a new aluminium version, which is
very strong, there are also the TwistAir
aerodynamic struts, which thanks to their
twisted shape are supposed to reduce the
torque produced by the propellor. Also new
out: A wireless throttle called the WiFly...
Photos: Nirvana
http://www.nirvana.cz/index-en/
61 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
SCORPIO
Right from the beginning of free flying,
the French company Scorpio has played a
part. In 1988, Scorpio launched the first
foam protection in paraglider harnesses
(in the seat). Today, for example, they
make harnesses with back protection
using bee hive technology and made to
measure harnesses…
At the Coupe Icare, Scorpio launched,
amongst other things, a simple harness
for schools.
http://www.scorpio.fr
PARAMANIA
Paramania, the company behind the influx
of reflex profiles in the paramotor world,
have created a new wing specially adapted
for slalom competitions. The GTS will be a
GTR which will bend into the turns more.
Aware of the extraordinary handling of
the GTR, we wanted to know more…the
results of our flight tests, will be on the
pages of free.aero pretty soon.
http://www.flyparamania.com
62 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
Photo: Bruno Lavit
COUPE ICARE 2014
The Coupe Icare, is a celebration of everything that flies, including
demonstrations like this one of a model aircraft…
63 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
ADVENTURE
Adventure go light; the all new X-Race LT,
made mainly from carbon and titanium
(including the exhaust), weighs less than
24 kg. Motorised with a Tiger 160 cc,
it costs 8990 euros including, amongst
other things, accessories such as a cover
for the blades, the X-Race Light harness
and a rev counter.
http://www.paramoteur.com/en
Photo: Skywalk
SKYWALK
Another step forward in the lightweight
domain other than for hike and fly: The
Range Air is the new pod harness from
Skywalk for XC flying; the small weighs
1.9 kg, light for an XC harness! It is
certified LTF/EN.
http://skywalk.info/en/
64 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
COMPASS
Compass became well known a few years
ago thanks to their top of the range
instrument the C-Pilot Pro, at a price of
over 1200 euros, with a tactile screen,
able to calculate trajectories in relation
to the ground and with other very hi-tech
functions.
After a creative break, Compass is back
with three new versions of their instrument.
Already popular with competitors, they
have now opened it up to a wider market.
The price of the C-Pilot Evo is about 900
euros. It is flatter, more robust and has
gained an important function, a slot for a
GSM SIM card allowing autonomous live
tracking without using a mobile phone.
And above all, its screen is a lot more
readable in full sunlight.
The XCPilot version is just a little bit
smaller, but offers the same functions for
50 euros less, including a colour screen
with good contrast.
The Easy Pilot has a monochrome screen
and has the same functions, including
live tracking, with the exception of the
topographical map display.
http://www.compass-italy.com
EN/LTF-A
from school to cloudbase
and beyond
65 | September 2014
www.777gliders.com
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
Coupe Icare madness
COUPE ICARE 2014
Photo: Bruno Lavit
Nights at the Coupe Icare, balloons dot the sky,
concerts fill the air, once again a flying fairy tale…
66 | September 2014
www.free.aero
Coupe Icare madness
Photo: Alain Douce
COUPE ICARE 2014
The next Coupe Icare will be from
the 17th to the 20th of September 2015.
67 | September 2014
@FreeAeroMag
www.free.aero
COUPE ICARE 2014
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news and product reviews

Transcription

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